Mar 28
Pro-Crastinator—Does That Sound Like You?
Posted in: UncategorizedWe’ve extended the deadline just for Pro’s like you. Monday is the last day to enter
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Mar 28
Industrial Design Case Study: A Better-Looking Brain-Computer Interface
Posted in: UncategorizedWhen you think of technology that connects your brain to a computer, you probably picture something like this:
A startup called Neurable had the technology, but wanted better design for their first product, called Enten. They turned to industrial design consultancy Fresco for help.
Brain interface tech for the everyday
Neurable, a Boston-based startup, teamed with Fresco to design and develop their first product for the consumer market – the Enten headphones. These BCI headphones monitor your brain activity and provide useful information for your daily life, like patterns of when you are focused or distracted.
the client
Neurable is a neurotechnology company that uses Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology to interpret human intent, measure emotion, and provide telekinetic control of the digital world.
services delivered
Design Strategy / Industrial Design / Models & Prototypes / Virtual Photography / Digital Design
“Fresco’s support on the Enten project was invaluable. Their creativity, efficiency, and dependability greatly contributed to the success of the challenging task of integrating BCI into a consumer product. Collaborating with them was easy and fun. We continue to partner with Fresco on new explorations and product development efforts, and can always rely on their consistent delivery of high-quality, high-impact work.” –Jamie Alders, Vice President of Product, Neurable
OUR PROCESS
Designing consumer appeal
When you think of BCI, do you picture intricate monitoring devices, headcaps, and wires? Neurable’s vision aimed to overcome those associations. We designed the BCI headphones to look, appear, and behave like a premium product, tackling numerous design and engineering challenges to seamlessly integrate the technology into a desirable form factor.
Research prototype
Schematic architecture
Early design
Working prototype
Appearance model
Final design
Design for personas
For this novel technology, we began by understanding its application and the anticipated user environments. From user personas, we tailored our design choices in size, shape, material, color, and visual segmentation, considering a dense market of visual trends.
Weaving tech into consumer soft goods
We embarked on an R&D journey to research, design, spec, source, and manufacture selectively conductive 3D knitted fabrics. By experimenting with weave patterns and emphasizing ear comfort, we optimized the design for EEG channel skin contact and internal board connection. The final knit product conformed to 3D ear cushions, ensuring aesthetics, comfort, acoustics, and sensor performance.
Engineering prototypes for testing
Through several engineering prototype iterations, we fine-tuned the integration of BCI technology into the Enten headphones, ensuring manufacturability. Fresco produced both individual and small-batch prototypes for design validation, internal review, and user testing.
Appearance models for funding & design excitement
During the design phase, we built high-craft appearance models for early product photography, marketing campaigns, stakeholder alignment, investor pitches, and to refine color and material selections.
Part design for manufacturing
Fresco provided Neurable with a fully executed and documented industrial design and mechanical engineering blueprint for scaled manufacturing. We assisted Neurable in collaborating with contract manufacturers, verifying their expertise, and evaluating the secondary suppliers involved in the product’s production.
You can see more of Fresco’s work here.
Mar 28
Iris tables by Gandia Blasco
Posted in: Uncategorized
Dezeen Showroom: artistic colour studies are printed on tempered glass in Gandia Blasco‘s Iris tables, creating a semi-transparent effect reminiscent of stained glass.
Following a philosophy that the Spanish outdoor brand refers to as “art applied to design”, the Iris series of tables were conceived by the brand’s creative and communication deputy director Alejandra Gandía-Blasco based on her colour studies of sunrises and sunsets.
The images are transferred onto vitrified tempered glass, which not only gives them a deeply pigmented yet ethereal quality, but makes use of a material that is natural and durable.
“The light on the coast is constantly changing,” said Gandía-Blasco. “Iris serves as a canvas for the infinite shades of colour and varied compositions that I capture in very specific moments depending on the weather at the exact moment that I take the photo.”
The Iris series includes dining tables, coffee tables and side tables with a few different image and colour choices.
The circular and square tables are each printed with a single design, while the large rectangular coffee and dining tables feature a grid of 88 sunrises and sunsets arranged like a mosaic, recalling the look of a tiled table.
Product details:
Product: Iris tables
Designer: Alejandra Gandía-Blasco
Brand: Gandia Blasco
Contact: prensa@gandiablascogroup.com
Material: vitrified tempered glass, powder-coated aluminium
Colours/finishes: black/grey, orange, blue
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The post Iris tables by Gandia Blasco appeared first on Dezeen.
Mar 28
Rectangular-Form Flashlights with Perpendicular Lenses
Posted in: UncategorizedFor manufactured objects, the cylinder is a powerful shape. They distribute pressure evenly, which is why airplane fuselages, soda cans, oxygen canisters and disposable batteries are cylindrical.
The shape of a disposable battery has long dictated the shape of another object: Flashlights, which have traditionally been little more than a battery sleeve with a light source at the end. But now that battery technology has evolved, flashlight designers are free to imagine fresh forms that are better-shaped for certain user activities. Like this USB-rechargeable Slim+ model from Texas-based manufacturer Nebo.
The rectangular form and perpendicular lens means you hold it differently than a cylindrical flashlight; this is less for illuminating dark paths, and more for examining engine bays and the like. The slim form fits easily in a pocket and doesn’t roll when you set it down. Furthermore, it features both a magnetic base and a hanging hook for hands-free use. It’s made of aluminum, is water- and dust-resistant, and puts out 700 lumens.
A slightly larger Slim+ 1200 model puts out more lumens (you can guess the number).
Both models above also feature laser pointers and can be used as powerbanks. Moving in the other direction, size-wise, the Slim Mini puts out just 250 lumens. It’s way more compact but you lose the pointer and the power bank function.
They also offer a Slim Mini UV, for those doing inspections.
The Slim+ runs $45; the Slim+ 1200 is $60; and the Mini versions go for $20.
Mar 28
10 Best Small Space-Friendly Products To Elevate Your Tiny Home’s Look, Functionality & Efficiency
Posted in: Uncategorized
Today compact living has become the norm, and finding products that combine functionality with style is essential. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a cramped apartment, a tiny home, or just looking to maximize your existing space – we have curated a collection of ten innovative products offer that smart solutions without sacrificing aesthetics.
Each product has been carefully selected to help transform your small space into a more organized, efficient, and visually appealing environment. Small-space living doesn’t mean sacrificing style or functionality. These ten products showcase how thoughtful designs can transform limited square footage into an efficient, organized, and visually appealing environment. You can use these products to create a tiny home that feels spacious and personalized, irrespective of its size!
1. Fire Capsule Oil Lamp
Called the Fire Capsule Oil Lamp, this product brings the timeless magic of flame lighting into contemporary small spaces with its sleek, cylindrical design inspired by traditional tea canisters. This portable oil lamp combines premium materials such as high-quality aluminum and glass with thoughtful engineering to create a safe, clean-burning light source that enhances any environment with its warm, flickering glow.
The precision-engineered lid keeps the glass chimney pristine when not in use, while the 80ml capacity provides up to 16 hours of continuous illumination with paraffin oil. It is ideal for small homes as it is quite versatile and portable. It weighs just 180g and features a stackable design which makes it storage efficient, and it can be moved from the bedside table to the dining area or the balcony with ease, eliminating the need for multiple mood lighting options in different rooms.
What we like
- Creates warm, ambient lighting without requiring electrical outlets or batteries.
- Multifunctional design with aroma diffusion capabilities eliminates the need for separate products.
What we dislike
- Requires purchase of paraffin oil for operation, adding to maintenance costs.
- Open flame requires careful handling and appropriate placement away from flammable materials.
2. Invisible Shoehorn
The Invisible Shoehorn transforms a utilitarian necessity into an elegant product that adds some sophistication to even the smallest entryway. This innovative product features a sleek, polished stainless steel body mounted on a transparent stand that creates the illusion of a floating metallic curve when not in use. The extended length allows users to slip on shoes without bending or straining, which is quite useful in cramped entryways where maneuvering can be tough.
What makes the product truly unique is its dual-purpose nature. When not in use, it serves as an intriguing home decor element that will add visual appeal to any space. The transparent stand minimizes visual weight, making it ideal for small entryways where space constraint is an issue. This shoehorn is quite beneficial for small homes because it combines two products – a functional tool and a decorative element into one space-saving product.
Click Here to Buy Now: $299.00
What we like
- The elegant design elevates a utilitarian object into an artistic accent piece.
- The long handle eliminates the need to bend, perfect for tight entryway spaces.
What we dislike
- Stainless steel requires occasional polishing to maintain its mirror finish.
- Higher price point than basic plastic shoehorns.
3. Anywhere-Use Lamp
The Anywhere Use Lamp redefines portable lighting with its mushroom-inspired design that brings warmth and character to any corner of your home. This battery-powered table lamp combines simplicity with versatility, making it perfect for small homes where permanent lighting solutions might be impractical or insufficient. Available in classic black and white, plus the new Industrial edition with its deliberately distressed metal base, this lamp offers a touch of personality that works with virtually any décor style.
What makes this lamp unique is its thoughtful engineering. Six high-color-rendering LEDs provide a soft, warm glow that transforms the atmosphere of any room, while the intuitive edge-press control lets you cycle through four brightness levels with satisfying tactile feedback. The lamp’s modular design means it can be easily disassembled and tucked into a bag, making it ideal for tiny home residents who may move frequently or anyone who needs lighting flexibility throughout their home.
Click Here to Buy Now: $149.00
What we like
- The battery-powered design eliminates cord clutter and allows for placement anywhere.
- Modular construction makes it easy to store when not in use, saving precious space.
What we dislike
- Requires four AA batteries which need occasional replacement.
- Limited to warm light only, without color temperature adjustment options.
4. Jewel Vase Mirror Stand
The Jewel Vase Mirror Stand combines three functions—reflection, display, and floral arrangement—into one striking piece. This innovative product features a uniquely shaped polyhedron mirror attached to a small vessel that can hold water for fresh flowers or serve as a catch-all for small accessories. Crafted from eco-friendly bioplastic containing rice husks, this piece brings sustainability to your décor while offering a warm, natural finish that will soften up your room.
For residents of small homes, this piece offers practical benefits since it combines three separate items—a mirror, vase, and jewelry dish, into one compact product. Its tabletop design means you don’t need to sacrifice precious wall space for a mirror. You can simply check out your appearance in the mirror stand, without actually adding a proper mirror to your home.
What we like
- The multifunctional design eliminates the need for separate mirrors, vases, and accessory storage.
- The unique shape creates visual interest that enhances even minimal decorative elements.
What we dislike
- The limited mirror size makes it suitable for quick checks rather than full-face viewing.
- Small vase capacity accommodates only single stems or very small arrangements.
5. Door Chime Tori
The Door Chime Tori is blessed with a charming bird-inspired design that adds personality to your entryway without requiring any wiring or batteries. This delightful chime produces gentle, melodic sounds reminiscent of birdsong when the door opens or closes, creating a welcoming atmosphere that starts the moment someone enters your home.
Installation is really simple as a powerful neodymium magnet on the bird’s underside allows it to attach securely to any ferrous metal surface without tools or hardware. The bird’s tail feathers act as the chime, creating a pleasant tinkling sound with the motion of the door. It is an excellent option for small homes as it requires no electrical work or battery changes, and occupies almost no space while adding a decorative element to your doorway.
What we like
- Tool-free magnetic installation requires no permanent changes to your door.
- Serves a dual purpose as both a functional chime and a decorative accent.
What we dislike
- Only works on doors with ferrous metal surfaces for magnetic attachment.
- The sound may be too subtle in larger spaces or homes with significant ambient noise.
6. Portable CD Cover Player
The Portable CD Cover Player features a transparent pocket that showcases album artwork while the CD plays, transforming your music collection into rotating wall art that changes with your listening mood. It features a built-in speaker and rechargeable battery, so you can place it on a bookshelf, hang it on the wall with the optional mounting bracket, or carry it from room to room.
The minimalist design with clean lines and simple controls complements contemporary interiors while letting the album artwork shine through. Since it is a multifunctional design, it works well for compact dwellings. Besides playing music, it functions as a decorative element that can be changed based on mood or season. The wall-mounting option frees up valuable space, while the built-in speaker eliminates the need for separate audio equipment.
Click Here to Buy Now: $199.00
What we like
- Transforms CD collections into decorative elements rather than hidden storage items.
- The wall-mountable design saves space in cramped corners.
What we dislike
- Built-in speaker quality can’t match dedicated audio systems.
- Limited to CD playback without additional digital connectivity options.
7. Miniature Bonfire Wood Diffuser Set
The Miniature Bonfire Wood Diffuser Set brings the calming essence of outdoor adventure into your home through a cleverly designed aromatic experience. This charming miniature recreates the visual appeal of a campfire with its stainless steel structure and bundled “firewood” sticks that are diffusers for essential oils. The set captures the unique scent of Mt. Hakusan, transporting you to forest settings without leaving your living room.
It can also be used as a pocket stove with the included trivets, allowing for small-scale cooking experiences. This diffuser set is perfect for small homes because it creates an immersive sensory experience without requiring the space of a real fireplace or fire pit. It has a compact footprint which delivers maximum impact in minimal space.
What we like
- Creates a multisensory experience combining visual appeal with aromatic benefits.
- Dual functionality as both diffuser and miniature cooking surface maximizes utility.
What we dislike
- Requires purchase of essential oils for continued use.
- Small size limits cooking capabilities to very small portions or demonstrations.
8. Obsidian Black Mini Grip Tongs
The Obsidian Black Mini Grip Tongs bring professional-grade precision to home cooking in a compact form that’s perfect for small kitchens. Available in 4.9″ (12.5cm) and 7″ (18cm) lengths, these elegantly designed tongs are perfect for food handling tasks. Their lovely black finish is achieved through a special oxidation process, which adds a sophisticated style to both cooking and serving.
For those cooking in compact kitchens, these tongs are a better choice than standard options. Their smaller size requires less storage space while still providing essential functionality. Their elegant design makes them suitable for serving food on the dinner table, reducing the number of utensils needed. They have a lightweight design which makes them quite easy to handle, reducing hand fatigue.
What we like
- Space-efficient size perfect for limited kitchen storage.
- Dual-purpose design works for both cooking and serving, eliminating redundant utensils.
What we dislike
- Smaller size may be less comfortable for those with larger hands.
- The limited length makes them less suitable for deep pots or high-heat cooking.
9. Jewelry Display Clock
The Jewelry Display Clock solves two common issues in small homes – keeping track of time and organizing small accessories. This minimalist timepiece features a hollow center that provides the perfect display area for rings, earrings, and other small trinkets, transforming them from clutter into curated décor. The pendulum doubles as a hanging point for earrings, adding movement and visual interest to the display.
It can be wall-mounted to save space or displayed on a shelf or mantel. In both forms, it combines two different items —a clock and jewelry storage into one compact body, thereby maximizing functionality without adding visual clutter. It eliminates the need for separate jewelry boxes that consume significant drawer space in your room.
What we like
- Combines timekeeping and jewelry storage in one space-efficient design.
- Transforms small accessories from hidden clutter into visible décor elements.
What we dislike
- Limited storage capacity accommodates only smaller jewelry pieces.
- Requires occasional resetting if moved or during daylight saving time changes.
10. Key Holder Wakka
The Key Holder Wakka makes the mundane act of storing keys into a satisfying ritual that helps establish organization habits in even the smallest entryways. This elegant system pairs a stylish keyring with a wooden magnetic base, every time you remove or return your keys, the magnetic connection creates a distinctive tapping sound that reinforces the habit through auditory feedback.
The key holder is a better option than traditional hooks or bowls in tiny homes with limited entryway space since it has a minimal footprint that occupies very little wall or surface area. Since it is a wall-mountable design, it ensures your important items are visible and easily accessible, so you can easily pick them up and leave the house. The magnetic system keeps the keys securely in place rather than sliding around or getting buried under other items.
What we like
- Creates a consistent home for keys, eliminating time wasted searching for misplaced items.
- Sensory feedback encourages habit formation for better organization.
What we dislike
- Accommodates only one set of keys on the magnetic holder.
- Requires consistent placement in the same location to establish effective habits.
The post 10 Best Small Space-Friendly Products To Elevate Your Tiny Home’s Look, Functionality & Efficiency first appeared on Yanko Design.
Mar 28
Pensaer prioritises natural materials for Clay House extension in London
Posted in: Uncategorized
Clay wall finishes and built-in oak joinery were used to add warmth and facility to this Victorian terraced house in south London, extended by British architecture studio Pensaer.
Named Clay House after the project’s use of the raw material, the home in East Dulwich has been expanded by 40 square metres with a side and rear extension.
Pensaer‘s addition maximises natural light and improves the flow through the house, which originally had a rear kitchen with a low ceiling and poor connection to the outside.
The studio’s design also introduces multiple areas to sit, relax, and work, while aiming to respect the character of the original Victorian structure.
“The work has created an open, contemporary space that has a carefully considered connection to the garden,” studio founder Rhys Owen told Dezeen.
Clay House’s roof geometry has been designed to feel like one continuous sculptural form, with layered beams framing a large kitchen skylight that brings light deep into the plan.
To create a sense of continuity throughout Clay House, the exposed beams transition into oak wall shelving and a prominent window seat that looks out over the garden.
This built-in bench is one of the focal points of the project, providing a space for the clients to sit while bridging the gap between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Inspired by the idea of a “warm welcoming”, Pensaer’s design focuses on bringing harmony between materials and its muted colour palette.
The garden has also been reinvigorated with built-in seating and planting beds.
“We thought a lot about how to balance inside and outside, making sure the client felt connected to their garden,” said Owen.
“The interplay of warm oak, polished concrete, and natural light creates a harmonious dialogue between textures and tones.”
Both Clay House’s exterior and interior walls are finished in a clay-based render, forming a backdrop to natural wood furniture and joinery. These are contrasted with polished concrete floors.
“By integrating natural materials with sculptural elements, we’ve designed a space that feels both grounding and uplifting,” said Owen.
Other house extensions finished with natural materials include Hemp House, designed by London practice Nimtim Architects with hempcrete and timber, and architect Michael Henriksen’s extension of his own home in St Albans using exposed clay-block walls, timber ceilings and cork flooring.
The photography is by Peter Molloy.
The post Pensaer prioritises natural materials for Clay House extension in London appeared first on Dezeen.
Mar 28
River-Inspired Interior Gives a Train a Softer and Gentler Character
Posted in: Uncategorized
The thundering approach of a high-speed train typically conjures images of sleek metal, industrial power, and mechanical precision—a marvel of engineering that seems worlds apart from nature’s gentle rhythms. Yet beneath this technological exterior lies an unexpected parallel: like a river carving its path through the landscape, trains flow along their predetermined routes with a similar sense of purpose and grace. This poetic connection between mechanical transport and natural waterways has inspired a breathtaking reimagining of France’s iconic TGV high-speed rail service.
The TGV Inoui’s fifth-generation interior design embraces this surprising kinship between train and river, transforming the passenger experience through thoughtful elements that evoke water’s soothing qualities. Launched after a comprehensive design project that began in 2016, this revolutionary approach challenges our expectations of train travel, replacing clinical efficiency with organic warmth and industrial hardness with inviting softness. The result is a traveling environment that feels less like transportation and more like a gentle journey through flowing spaces.
Stepping aboard the redesigned carriages reveals an immediate sense of serenity, with a fluid horizon line that extends throughout the interior, creating visual continuity that mimics the surface of water. This horizontal element serves multiple purposes—establishing perspective, orienting passengers within the space, and subtly reinforcing the river concept without resorting to obvious thematic elements. The effect feels natural rather than forced, a sophisticated interpretation rather than a literal translation.
The seating arrangements draw inspiration from smooth river pebbles, with rounded forms that have been shaped by imaginary currents over time. These organic contours replace the rigid geometries typically found in train interiors, offering passengers embracing comfort that seems to cradle the body. The tactile upholstery further enhances this sensation, with textures and colors that evoke the tranquil depths of flowing water, creating a multisensory experience that transcends mere transportation.
Perhaps the most delightful expressions of the river theme appear in the lighting elements, where playful lamp designs capture the bubbly, effervescent quality of water’s surface. These luminous accents provide both practical illumination and whimsical visual interest, punctuating the serene environment with moments of joy. The interplay between these vibrant details and the overall calm atmosphere creates a balanced environment that feels simultaneously energizing and relaxing.
Traveling at speeds exceeding 350 kilometers per hour, passengers experience a curious paradox: extreme velocity wrapped in exceptional comfort. The environmental considerations embedded in the design enhance this sense of mindful travel, with 97% recyclable materials and light-colored exteriors that improve albedo and reduce energy consumption during summer months. These sustainable elements align perfectly with the river concept, honoring natural systems while embracing technological advancement.
The redesigned TGV Inoui represents a fundamental shift in how we perceive train interiors, moving away from purely functional spaces toward environments that prioritize human comfort and emotional well-being. By softening the industrial character of high-speed rail travel through nature-inspired design, the project creates what the designers call “a more personal bubble of comfort in a shared space.” This transformation acknowledges that transportation isn’t merely about moving from point A to point B—it’s about the quality of the journey itself.
The post River-Inspired Interior Gives a Train a Softer and Gentler Character first appeared on Yanko Design.
Mar 28
"Unpretentious, lovely human scale" says commenter
Posted in: Uncategorized
In this week’s comments update, readers are discussing a cottage in the Scottish Highlands finished with a natural material palette of local timber, clay plaster and earthenware tiles.
Designed by Baillie Baillie Architects, the one-bedroom home in Plockton was envisioned as a contemporary interpretation of the traditional cottages often found in the Scottish Highlands.
“The raw detailing is very appealing”
Dezeen readers were drawn to the design, with BBOB calling it “just perfect!” and Design Junkie simply stating “wood is good”.
IDRACULA said that the cottage had an “unpretentious, lovely human scale”. They continued to say: “Like this a lot. Classic finishes. Excites the senses.”
Jb reflected that “the raw detailing is very appealing”, while Souji thought it was “simply lovely (besides the roof material choice)”, before adding “love the rustic feel”.
But not all readers were quite so smitten, with Tom Roberts writing: “I really find the knotty wood distracting.”
Are you a fan? Join the discussion ›
“The ordinariness of this building is thinly veiled”
Another story causing a stir in the comments section this week was an earthquake-resistant, “ethereal cafe” in Fukuoka, Japan, enveloped by a steel and mesh web-like canopy.
For Jb, “box plush mesh does not add up to architecture.”
“The ordinariness of this building is thinly veiled,” added The Discreet Architect.
AlfredHitchcock agreed, commenting: “The fabric canopy, which appears to perform absolutely no function whatsoever might be ethereal, but the rectangular shoebox below the canopy certainly isn’t.”
Do you agree? Join the discussion ›
“Brutalism is back”
Also gaining plenty of attention in the comments section this week was a brutalist home in Portugal, designed with board-marked concrete walls by Pedro Domingos Arquitectos.
“Call me a troglodyte, but I love a raw, primitive space,” put forward JZ.
Commenter DH also had nothing but praise for the project, calling it “exquisite”, before declaring “brutalism is back – finally”.
“Nothing a few throw pillows and a concentrated artillery barrage couldn’t fix,” wrote Karl. Taking a similar stance, BrettS said: “There’s an awful lot of remnant WW2 gun emplacement about it.”
Ricardo Laje also wasn’t convinced, writing: “I love the raw look of the pictures and the geometry but I’m not sure if I would like to live there.”
What do you reckon? Join the discussion ›
Comments Update
Dezeen is the world’s most commented architecture and design magazine, receiving thousands of comments each month from readers. Keep up to date on the latest discussions on our comments page and subscribe to our weekly Debate newsletter, where we feature the best reader comments from stories in the last seven days.
The post “Unpretentious, lovely human scale” says commenter appeared first on Dezeen.
Mar 28
Photos reveal Zaha Hadid Architects stadium nearing completion in Guangzhou
Posted in: Uncategorized
Architecture studio Zaha Hadid Architects has released construction photos of the Greater Bay Area Sports Centre, a sporting complex with a 60,000-seat stadium nearing completion in China.
Set to open in June, the multi-venue complex sits in a 70-hectare park in Guangzhou’s Nansha district and will host the China National Games in November.
Zaha Hadid Architects developed the Greater Bay Area Sports Centre in collaboration with local studio Guangdong Architectural Design & Research Institute (GDAD) to serve as “an anchor” for an upcoming district within the Greater Bay Area – a megalopolis in southern China.
Alongside its 60,000-seat stadium, the complex includes a 20,000-seat basketball arena and a 4,000-seat aquatics centre with a 50-metre-long swimming pool and diving facilities.
Greater Bay Area Sports Centre will be characterised by Zaha Hadid Architects’ signature sweeping forms, which in this project will nod to Song dynasty-era sailing ships.
“The fluid forms of the centre’s architecture echo the tapering geometries evident in the hulls of the region’s traditional sailing ships that were initially designed during the Song dynasty approximately a thousand years ago,” said the studio.
“These historic vessels established the Pearl River as China’s leading centre of global trade.”
According to the studio, the Greater Bay Area Sports Centre also draws on local Lingnan architecture designed in line with the region’s subtropical climate, with sheltered outdoor spaces that are naturally ventilated.
Other details that will define the network of buildings include vertical louvres on the facades, designed to shade and cool the buildings.
Meanwhile, the stadium will have a layered roofscape modelled on traditional Chinese silk fans, sheltering spectators from rain and sunlight. The seating bowl will be adaptable to suit different performances.
A large arch puncturing the stadium’s facade will allow cool sea air to enter while providing outward views that create “a direct connection between all spectators and the stadium’s riverside setting”.
Zaha Hadid Architects’ Construction of the Greater Bay Area Sports Centre began on 31 August 2023 and was commissioned by the Nansha District Bureau of Culture & Sports.
While providing venues for sporting events, the complex will also be open to the community, with facilities for local schools and sports clubs. The complex will be complete with athlete accommodation, training pitches and running tracks.
The park in which the complex is located has been landscaped to manage excess water and prevent flooding.
Zaha Hadid Architects was founded in 1979 by the late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. Today, the studio is led by Patrik Schumacher, who recently claimed that “woke virtue-signalling” is destroying the profession.
Elsewhere, the studio is currently developing a starfish-like cultural centre in Italy and recently completed a convention centre in Beijing with copper-coloured curves.
The photography and video are by CR Land.
The post Photos reveal Zaha Hadid Architects stadium nearing completion in Guangzhou appeared first on Dezeen.
Mar 28
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann created the crème de la crème of art deco design
Posted in: Uncategorized
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann produced some of art deco‘s most extravagant designs. For our Art Deco Centenary series, we profile the French designer who wanted to make the best furniture in the world, at any cost.
The height of Ruhlmann’s career was the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, the 1925 Paris exhibition that ushered in the art deco style.
His pavilion, the Hotel d’un Collectionneur, was the star attraction and led to Ruhlmann becoming one of the most esteemed designers in the world.
A proud elitist, Ruhlmann developed his furniture and interiors for the wealthiest of clients. He saw this as the best way to produce work of uncompromising style and quality.
His pieces paired exotic hardwoods like ebony and rosewood with ivory inlays, silk tassels, sharkskin leather surfaces and bronze reliefs.
At the height of his renown, an amboyna wood bed from Ruhlmann’s atelier is said to have cost more than a large house.
“It would be preferable to educate the masses, but it is necessary to proceed otherwise,” reads a quote from the designer printed in the catalogue for the Ruhlmann Centenary Exhibition held in London in 1979.
“We are forced to work for the rich because the rich never imitate the middle-classes,” Ruhlmann said. “It is the elite which launches fashion and determines its direction. Let us produce, therefore, for them.”
Other defining characteristics of Ruhlmann’s furniture designs include tapered legs, fluted surfaces, decorative outlines and neoclassical motifs.
Ruhlmann was born in Paris in 1979 and explored a career as an artist before inheriting the family business from his father, a painter and decorator, in 1907.
He was married the same year, to Marguerite Seabrook, and designed all the furniture for the couple’s first home. It attracted so much attention that it led him to expand the business into a “maison de decoration”.
Ruhlmann was no cabinetmaker himself – he worked with specialist craftsmen to produce his pieces.
The designer first exhibited furniture at the Salon d’Automne in 1913. His most iconic designs, a series of decorative veneered cabinets, came soon after, despite the outbreak of the first world war.
The first of these, the État d’Angle, was designed in 1916. This corner cabinet featured a striking motif of a vase filled with flowers, realised with contrasting ivory and ebony marquetry.
The Meuble au Char Sideboard, unveiled in 1919, is arguably Ruhlmann’s most famous piece. Realised in the same ivory and ebony, it features an inlaid motif based on a Maurice Pico drawing, depicting a woman driving a horse-drawn chariot.
Ruhlman’s friend and collaborator, the architect Pierre Patout, described the chariot sideboard as “the complete expression of his art”, while French writer and journalist Jean-Louis Vaudoyer called it “the masterpiece” of the 1919 Salon d’Automne.
An even more ambitious design came a year later. A cabinet designed by Ruhlmanm for the Elysee Palace boasted 1,300 fine ivory inlays, forming a delicate pattern reminiscent of soap bubbles.
The Hotel d’un Collectionneur cemented the designer’s international reputation, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors in the six months it was installed beside the Seine.
In a pavilion designed by Patout, Ruhlmann imagined the mansion home of a fictional collector – implied to be a wealthy man with exquisite taste and style.
The building centred around the grand salon, an oval-shaped living room with an eight-metre-high domed ceiling.
The room’s focal points were a curvaceous grand piano and a monumental chandelier made of an estimated 20,000 beads. It also boasted a marble fireplace, a painting by Jean Dupas and an array of sculptures on pedestals.
Other rooms included an entrance vestibule, a dining room, a study, a bedroom, a dressing room and a bathroom.
Ruhlmann designed all the furniture, including a scalloped bed and a dressing table with a tortoiseshell veneer detail, as well as carpets, lighting fixtures, textiles and wall coverings.
The success of the Hotel d’un Collectionneur was measurable. By 1927, Ruhlmann’s atelier had over 70 employees, including 25 draftsmen and 27 master cabinetmakers.
Commissions became increasingly prestigious, matched by the scale of the designer’s ambition.
His grand salon for the SS Normandie featured a handwoven Aubusson carpet larger than had ever been produced before, while the home he designed for silk manufacturer François Ducharne was planned in minute detail.
However, even Ruhlmann couldn’t ignore the impact of the ascending modernist movement.
In 1923, he told a journalist that his furniture pieces typically cost 20 to 25 per cent more to produce than he charged for them, even with his high prices.
After 1925, Ruhlmann began employing more mainstream materials. Metal frames and spray-on cellulose can be found in some of his later furniture designs.
Just how far he would have wavered from his art deco aesthetic, we will never know. The designer learned he was terminally ill in 1933 and died soon after, at the age of 54.
He demanded the dissolution of his studio following his death, ensuring that his name would stay forever associated with the style and panache of the 1910s and 20s.
The top illustration is by Vesa Sammalisto.
Art Deco Centenary
This article is part of Dezeen’s Art Deco Centenary series, which explores art deco architecture and design 100 years on from the “arts décoratifs” exposition in Paris that later gave the style its name.
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